About us
If you love camping, backpacking, kayaking, paddleboarding, nature walks, hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching, photography, outdoor cooking, birding, wildlife viewing, travel, and anything else outdoors... Plus, if you enjoy throwing in some cultural activities, cooking, movie nights, and other one off events with fun people, NEO is for you!
If you like fun volunteer opportunities working with schools and the community to teach others how to enjoy nature and the great outdoors, we have that too! Welcome to NEO (Nature & Eclectic Outdoors)!
NEO is a Texas based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more outdoor oriented lives for better health, happiness, and life balance. Check out our website at [www.NEOproject.org!](http://www.neoproject.org/)
NEO events are open to everyone, and most activities are family, kid, and pet friendly! Events are free or low cost! We supplement our regular outdoor events with amazing cultural opportunities and affordable travel adventures. Our goal is to make outdoor activities and incredible travel events accessible to everyone.
Check out our social media!
www.facebook.com/neoprojecttx
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8GcPNuyaQkWTkUudq1qrYcR7vuI_YlQW
www.twitter.com/neoprojecttx
www.instagram.com/neoprojecttx
www.linkedin.com/company/neoprojecttx
www.pinterest.com/neoprojecttx
We love being outdoors! We want to make sure everyone has the chance to experience hiking, camping, backpacking, cycling, kayaking, geocaching, and anything else they would like to try out. We love to travel and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, and we want others to have this opportunity to travel with us in a safe and relaxed environment.
NEO may host an all day hike at Brazos Bend State Park, a weekend camp at Pedernales Falls, or a cool mid-week night hike at Memorial Park. You could even find us introducing members to the Colorado Rockies on a long weekend! Whatever NEO does, we’re going to make some new friends, create amazing lifelong memories, and have a blast!
NEO has several special initiatives described on our website atwww.neoproject.org, but one initiative in particular has gained us incredible respect and notoriety. Through our “Wilderness Kids” initiative, NEO encourages kids and families to get off the couch, away from the video games and cell phones, and OUTSIDE. With the help of contributions and donations, NEO hosts events and clinics designed to teach kids necessary skills for enjoying outdoor activities and thriving in the natural world. Kids develop leadership and teamwork skills while learning about water safety, hiking, camping, nature and wildlife, and much more! They are also introduced to people from all walks of life and from all over the world, giving them a broader understanding of the world and cultures around them.
We partner with schools, businesses, and other organizations to facilitate field trips, on campus events, and team builders. We also host private events that help support our nonprofit mission. Get in touch with us today to discuss these special programs and events.
If you would like to learn more about becoming involved in our NEO Volunteer Corps helping out at fun community outreach events and in our school partnerships, email us at [contact@neoproject.org!](http://www.neoproject.org/?page_id=891)
Upcoming events
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Elevation - Hill and Stair Interval Training - Meet at the Cistern
The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine Street, Houston, TX, USParking:
Please refer to the map below for available parking areas, indicated with a P.
Parking MapMeeting Location:
We will meet at the Buffalo Bayou CisternWelcome to a unique workout in the flatlands of Houston – Elevation Training using one of the few topographic features in Houston, Buffalo Bayou!
We start with a couple stations along the Bayou itself then go on to downtown and utilize the structures and monuments there. You may choose to go up and down the stairs as slow or fast as you want. This hike is meant to help you push a little and see your strength improve over time. There are 6 stops total, covering a distance of about 4.5 miles in about 90 minutes and, if you’re ambitious, can get about 1,000 feet of elevation gain!
I want to stress, this is a workout. You will need to wear tennis shoes and proper workout attire. Headlamps are desired in the winter, and water is especially needed in the summer. Be sure to dress for the weather, regardless!
The paths may be slippery, muddy, or dark.
No worries if you're running late. Just meet up with us along the route. Follow the link to see the route and stops:
Elevation Training Map11 attendees- $20.00
Halloween Coast Camp at Galveston Island!
Galveston Island State Park, 14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554, United States, Texas, TX, USCome camp, swim, kayak, fish, and more at Galveston Island State Park!
Your RSVP fee covers your park entrance fees, overnight camping fees, and the use of equipment like tents, cots, fishing poles, kayaks, stoves, cooking gear, and more. Read this entire posting in its entirety.After RSVPing, please fill out this required camper information form.
Come camp, swim, fish, and kayak with us at Galveston Island State Park! Your RSVP fee covers park entry and camping fees.
You must arrive at camp with this waiver packet filled out completely and printed single-sided. There is no digital option for the waivers. We cannot accept them printed double-sided because they all go to different departments. If you do not come to camp with these waivers printed and filled out, you may not set up your campsite or participate in any activities until you have your forms ready. We cannot delay activities or impact other campers' experiences if you come unprepared. Please be respectful of your fellow campers and NEO leaders. Thank you for understanding.
The waiver packet also includes some camping basics and a suggested packing checklist.
The cost of camp for individuals is $20. The cost for families is $40. A family can include up to 2 adults and up to 3 children. A family may not include more than 2 adults and must include at least 1 child. If a family has additional adults, you will need to pay an additional $20 for each additional adult.
You may pay your RSVP fee via Zelle at "contact@neoproject.org" or our Zelle Tag, "NEOproject" with no additional fee. Please send me a message if you pay via Zelle so I can be sure you are on the RSVP list.
Otherwise, you can also pay through Meetup's Paypal or credit card options.
If paying through Meetup, you should be able to change the rsvp amount to the proper amount. If Meetup gives you a problem, just change your number of guests to equal what the proper amount should be. For instance, if you are paying for a family with 3 adults and 2 children, the cost should be $60. If Meetup won't let you change the rsvp amount, just rsvp for yourself with 2 guests to pay the proper amount. Reach out to me if you have any problems.If you are unable to come to camp for some reason, you may give your spot to someone else or consider it a much-appreciated donation to NEO. If you are RSVPing for a family, please note in the comments how many adults and children will be in your group.
I have a special activity planned for Saturday night! We will have a UV light glow in the dark candy hunt!!! We have specially painted eggs that glow with UV light, so bring extra candy for the hunt! In addition to coordinating activities during camp, NEO will provide campfires, s'mores, life preservers for swimming, fishing gear, kayaks, and more. You can bring your own gear if you prefer, but TPWD really likes families to use their tents during these partnership camps we coordinate with them, so leave your tents at home unless you are an individual bringing a smaller tent.
Activities will include birding, swimming, fishing, kayaking, stargazing, a nighttime spider hunt, a UV light candy hunt, and more! Feel free to bring Halloween costumes for the candy hunt. We should also get the chance to go enjoy the beach and make some sand castles! NEO will provide instructions and safety guidelines for all activities. No outdoor experience is necessary to participate. If you represent a school, church, or youth group that would like to participate, please contact me directly at contact@neoproejct.org.
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT 1: You may arrive in the park at any time on Friday and just enjoy the park away from our campground. We will meet at our campsites at 5:00 PM... NO EARLIER. Friday and Saturday nights, we will make a group campfire and bring out camp stoves to cook dinner as a group. Campers are responsible for bringing their own food, snacks, etc. for the duration of camp. We will cook as a group at our pavilion and form a nice community for the weekend.
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT 2: Sunday morning, we will break camp and be packed up by 10:30 AM. We have to be completely out of the campsites by 11:00 AM, but you can enjoy the park for the rest of the day after that. If tents are wet with dew on Sunday morning, we must stay to allow the tent to dry completely before packing it up. NOBODY LEAVES EARLY ON SUNDAY. We will all work together to break camp and get the trailer loaded before we leave. Once we are packed up, you can choose to enjoy the park for the rest of the day on your own if you like.
NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED for this event unless the event is actually canceled. If you need to cancel for any reason, you can give your spot to someone else or just consider it a donation to NEO. NEO pays for these events ahead of time and cannot get a refund if you cancel. Thank you for understanding.
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NEO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to lead more outdoor-oriented lives for better health, well-being, and resilience. Much of our work serves schools and historically underserved communities. If you like what we do, please consider making a tax-deductible donation at neoproject.org/donate. There are multiple donation options available. Your dollars make a difference!
Thank you!21 attendees 
Sunset/full moon hike at Memorial Park (+/-5 miles)
Cullen Running Trails Center, 7575 N Picnic Ln, Houston, TX, USNEO is dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more active outdoor-oriented lives for better health, happiness, and wellbeing. Video summary
After the event has started, we do not respond to comments. These trails are not "out and back" and are too tricky to catchup. There is no planned route.
PAID PARKING $ for 3 hour intervals, free after 9pm. Cash, credit card, or app
Parking appAn automatic gate to the parking area closes @ 7pm. When exiting it opens up when you approach the gate.
Sunset is at 6:42pm-ish. Come enjoy some stress relieving time in the woods of Memorial Park and get to know some of your NEO brethren better. :-) This month's full moon is the "Hunters" moon.
If the trails are water logged we have other options like the arboretum next door, the lieberman loop, or the picnic loop.
Be sure to bring bug spray, a headlamp (approx 125 lumens or adjustable to approximately 125, anything over 200 is too bright) and comfy tennis shoes or boots with good tread. For restrooms the running center closes @ 7pm (6pm Nov-Feb). At the far end of the parking lot and running track, next to the "Rally" pavillion, is another set of restrooms. Parking @ the running center is NOW (as of Dec 2024) $2 for 3 hours. Free after 9pm. Cash, credit card or the parking app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sharewire.parkhouston
We will head out onto the trail about 5 minutes after event time.
This hike is not stroller friendly...the trails are narrow and bumpy with many roots and elevation ups and downs, slopes.
Dogs are welcome but must be friendly, and they must stay on a leash at all times...no exceptions. There could be multiple dogs, so be sure they are not dog aggressive.
There is a fireside snack and chat 845pm-1045pm scheduled after this event.
Checkout this Meetup with NEO Houston - Nature and Eclectic Outdoors: https://meetu.ps/e/QjMCx/bMDJ6/i
What to bring:
Flashlight or headlamp (approx 125 lumens, no brighter than 200)
Water/hydration/electrolytes
Snack
Shoes with good treads
BUG SPRAY37 attendees
Fireside snack & chat, Memorial park Eastern Glades
Eastern Glades South parking, 6502 Memorial dr, Houston, tx, USFamily friendly event
NEO is dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more active outdoor-oriented lives for better health, happiness, and wellbeing. Video summary
After a sunset/full moon night hike (separate from this event) through the dirt trails of Memorial Park we will snack and chat by a fire, listening to the night time sounds of Hines lake nearby. Everyone is welcome to enjoy, it's family friendly. The next full moon is the "Hunter" moon.
The Eastern Glades area has 4 fire pits/pad sites and two Pavillions, Promenade & South lakeside with fireplaces all lined up in a row next to each other. The North pavillion is next to the courtyard with strings of patio hanging lights. It is 1st come 1st serve for these spots so we will not know which one is available until after the hike and I see which one is available. After the event start time, at 845pm, look for a comment of which Pavillion is available.
Parking is free after 9pm but only $2 for 3 hours before then.
There is a restroom next to the parking/picnic area.
I will bring some firewood (oak, hickory, ash, ect). DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED
What to Bring:
-Something to eat and/or drink (no glass)
-CAMP CHAIR optional, there are 5 picnic tables with benches
-Bug spray
*I'll bring some Smores (skewers, chocolate striped cookie or Graham cracker, chocolate, marshmellow)
-A love for the sounds of nature at night
-Topic for discussion
-campfire stories/games
There is no smoking within any city parks
13 attendees
Past events
2542
